Crate



N0 Model.) y 2 sheets-sheet 2; S. C. SEAMAN.

A CRATE. No. 409,118. Patented Aug. 13, 1889.v

` UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SHERMAN C. SEAMAN, OF CLINTON, IOVA.

CRATE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 409,118, dated August 13, 1889. Appncaiunediiprn19,1889. serrano. 307,747. (remodel.)

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, SHERMAN C. SEAMAI-I, a citizen of the United States, residing at Clinton, in the county of Clinton, State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Crates, of which the following is a specification, reference beingl had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention has relation to carriers or boxes for the safe and speedy transportation of butter and similar products, the main object being the provision of a carrier which will contain a limited number of jars or packages and hold the same tightly in place, thereby preventing breakage, so often prevalent in the delivery of earthen jars.

Another object is to provide a carrier which is strong and serviceable and capable of manufacture at a minimum cost. I provide a jar or crock the lid of which has printed on its surface information which will enable the shippers, ttc., to know thecontents thereof, amount, and other general information.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear in the following description, andthe novel features thereof will be particularly pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of the carrier, a portion thereof being broken away, showing the interior construction. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section of the crate, and Fig. 3 is a plan view of the lid of one of the jars.

Like letters of reference indicate like parts in all the iigures'of the drawings.

A is the box or chest, of suitable material, preferably wood, and hinged thereto is the lid or cover A. Within the box A and at the four corners thereof are fixed the posts A2, reaching to about the middle height of the box, on which posts the platform Bis adapted to rest, so as to divide the b'ox into two compartments.

The platform B is intended to iit snugly in place, and is provided with a suitable perfo ration B to receive a finger or other object, so that the platform can be easily and quickly removed for the purpose of gaining access to the lower compartment of the box.

Attached to the bottom of the box A and on the interior thereof, and extending at right angles to each other, are the cross-pieces C C',

which are adapted to divide the lower part of the box into four equal parts. Similar cross-pieces are attached to the upper and undersurfacesof the platform B and the under surface of the lid A. The purposes of the cross-pieces are to divide the box transversely into four equal compartments and to hold the jars securely inplace within the crate or box.

VE is the crock or jar for the reception of the butter or other produce, provided with a suitable cover or lid E', which is cemented or otherwise suitably securedthereto.

The lid of the chest or box A is held-securely closed by the hasp D, secured to the box by rivets or other fastenings D', and the staple D2, over which the hasp is adapted to pass, and is held there by means of apadlock, rod, or seal. (Not shown.)

The lid of each crock or jar has printed upon its outer surface the contents, maker, consignor, consignee, and the words Gross, Tare, and N et, or it may be any other printed information.

I. A box having corner-pieces extending less than its entire depth, a platform adapted to rest upon the corner-pieces and having cross-pieces on the upper and lower surfaces of the platform, and similar cross-pieces on the bottom of the box and on the inner surface of its cover, substantially as shown and described.

2. In combination with a box having corner-pieces extending less than the entire depth and cross-pieces arranged at right angles on the inner surface of its cover and of its bottom, a platform having similar crosspieces secured to both of its surfaces and adapted to fit within the box and to be sup orted b said corner- )ieces and acking- J 'cases adapted to rest above and below the platform and be supported by the same and the bottom of the box within the angles of the cross-bars, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

SHERMAN C. SEAMAN. 

